Concealed door furniture fixing method and assembly

ABSTRACT

A furniture plate assembly extends over a mortise lock in a door and contains a pair of side plates extending over each side of the door, the side plates being clamped against the door by internal fasteners, the internal fasteners comprising a threaded stud which can be rotated by an adjustment member which can be operated from the edge of the door. The adjustment member can be provided with a clutch to prevent over tightening of the assembly. The threaded internal fastener provides better adjustment of the assembly than a cam type clamping device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an assembly and a method for theattachment of furniture plates and the like to doors. Such plates areused, by way of example, for the attachment of devices such as knobs,handles and locks to doors. However, the plates can also be used fordecorative purposes, or to provide a hard anti scratch or anti scuffplates around knobs, handles and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Furniture plates are usually metal rectangular plate members which areattached to each side of a door and in the area where the lock/handle isattached to the door. The plates typically have a thickness of between1-30 mm, a length of typically between 5-20 cm, and a width of typicallybetween 3-10 cm. The plates are usually screwed in position by eitherwood screws or metal thread screws. Metal thread screws are generallypreferred because in most cases they provide a more secure form ofattachment. The plates can improve the security of the door lock bymaking it more difficult to punch a hole through the door to access orto vandalise the lock components.

If a high degree of security is required, there is an advantage in beingable to attach the furniture plates in a concealed manner which meansthat the attachment screws are not visible or cannot be manipulated byan intruder. A concealed attachment can also provide an aestheticarrangement to the door.

It is known to provide a concealed screw system involving the use ofscrews which are accessed through an edge rather than the front face ofthe furniture plate. While this provides a level of deterrent to anintruder, the arrangement is not entirely satisfactory in practicebecause the screw heads are still accessible to a degree sufficient topermit intrusion. The system is not entirely satisfactory for aestheticreasons because of the need for recesses in the plate edge to receivethe screw heads.

It is known to provide a concealed fastening arrangement which includesat least one tension member secured to an inside surface of thefurniture plate and which extends substantially at right angles from theinside surface of the furniture plate, the tension member being locatedwithin the body of the door, and a camming member located in the doorbody and which engages with the tension member to pull the tensionmembers together thereby pulling the furniture plates against the doorside surfaces. A camming arrangement has disadvantages including thelack of fine adjustment and the need to have precisely machined andpositioned components to ensure proper engagement of the cams.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method and an assembly forconcealing door furniture and which uses a thread arrangement instead ofa cam arrangement to pull the furniture plates against the door sidesurface.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and an assemblywhich may at least partially overcome the above-mentioned disadvantagesor provide the consumer with the useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a furniture plate assembly whichcomprises at least one side plate attachable to the side of a door, anelongate member extending from an inside surface of the at least oneside plate and which is attached to or attachable to the side plate, athreaded portion on the elongate member, an adjustment member whichengages with the threaded portion on the elongate member, and means toadjust the adjustment member from a position external of the door,whereby adjustment of the adjustment member causes the elongate memberto move which in turn can tighten the side plate against the door.

In this manner, the furniture plates can be clamped against the doorwithout requiring external screws and without requiring a cammingarrangement.

The furniture plate assembly can extend over an existing mortice lockwhich means that the existing internal lock components do not needmodification.

The side plate typically comprises a substantially rectangular sideplate. Suitably, a pair of side plates is provided one for each side ofthe door. Each side plate may be substantially flat but it is preferredthat the side plates comprises an outer wall, and a peripheral sidewallto allow the side plates to extend somewhat proud of the door. Theperipheral sidewall may have a width of between 5-30 mm. The plates maybe made of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material.

A front plate may be provided which extends over the edge of the door.Typically, the front plate comprises a flat rectangular plate of metal,plastic or other suitable material. The front plate may replace thefront plate which is normally found on the lock, or may comprise amodified front plate which is normally found on the lock. Typicallyhowever the lock front plate is removed and the front plate as describedabove is substituted. This front plate may have one or more openingswhich are typically found in a lock front plate and these openings mayinclude a large opening through which the lock tongue can protrude,smaller openings for a secondary lock tongue, a button and the like,openings to fasten the front plate to the edge of the door, and thelike. Suitably, the front plate contains at least one additional openingwhich allows the adjustment member to be adjusted from a positionexternal of the door. This will be described in greater detail below. Itshould be appreciated that the furniture assembly can be used for othertypes of locks or latches.

The assembly may include a cover plate. The cover plate may be designedto extend over the front plate. The cover plate may contain an openingthrough which the lock tongue can protrude. The cover plate may furthercontain one or more openings to accommodate fasteners to fasten thecover plate relative to the door. Preferably, the cover plate covers theat least one additional opening in the front plate which means thatmanipulation of the adjustment member is prevented.

An elongate member is provided which extends from the side plate. Theelongate member is attached to or attachable to the inside of the sideplate. The elongate member may be formed integrally with the side plate.Alternatively, the elongate member is attached to the inside of the sideplate. The inside of the side plate may be provided with attachmentmeans to allow the elongate member to be attached relative to the sideplate. The attachment means may comprise a threaded bore to threadinglyengage to an end of the elongate member. Other types of attachments ofthe elongate member to the side plate are envisaged. These may include apress fit arrangement where the attachment means comprises a bore andthe elongate member has an end portion which press fit into the bore; atwist lock arrangement which may include a bayonet type mounting, andthe like.

Suitably, the elongate member comprises a stud, pin or rod. The stud maybe solid or hollow. The stud is typically made of metal. The elongatemember may have a length of between 5-30 mm depending on the thicknessof the door. In a preferred embodiment, the elongate member comprises athreaded stud. One end of the threaded stud can threadingly attach intoan attachment means of the side plate to attach the elongate member tothe side plate. If desired, a stop member can form part of the elongatemember to prevent the elongate member from passing too far into theattachment means.

Suitably, a plurality of elongate members is provided on each sideplate. Typically, a first elongate member is positioned adjacent anupper part of the side plate and a second elongate member is positionedadjacent the lower part of the side plate.

The assembly includes an adjustment member. The adjustment member canhave a threaded bore which engages with a threaded portion on theelongate member. The elongate member suitably comprises a continuouslythreaded stud, but may also comprise a threaded portion and anunthreaded portion. The adjustment member may comprise a tubular memberwith the internal passageway being at least partially threaded.Alternatively, the adjustment member may be open at only one end, or maybe open at both ends but the internal passageway may not be continuousand may extend only partially through the adjustment member. Typically,the adjustment member comprises an elongate nut. An adjustment membermay be provided in respect of each elongate portion. It is envisagedthat the elongate portion on one side plate and the elongate portion onthe other side plate may be operated by a single adjustment member.Adjustment of the elongate member can be achieved by rotation of theadjustment member which will cause the elongate member to pass furtherinto or pass further out of the threaded bore.

The assembly includes a means to adjust the adjustment member and whichcan be done externally of the door. The means may comprise an elongateshaft member. The elongate shaft member may comprise a drive screw. Theelongate shaft member may have a length of between 10-100 mm. One end ofthe elongate shaft member is typically accessible externally of thedoor. This end may be provided with a socket or other type ofarrangement to allow a driver (such as a screwdriver, a phillips headscrewdriver or an alien key, etc) to manipulate the elongate shaftmember. Suitably, the elongate shaft member is rotatable about itslongitudinal axis. Rotation of the elongate shaft member can causerotation of the adjustment member. Suitably, the adjustment member isrotated by an intermediate member which may comprise a face gear. Theface gear can be rotated by the elongate shaft member.

Suitably, a cap or a plug or other type of covering member or means isattached to the one end of the elongate shaft member to prevent theshaft member from being manipulated by the driver. This can provideimproved security to the assembly and prevents the shaft member fromundesirable turning due to vibration or the like.

Suitably, the elongate member is a stud having one threaded end portionand an opposite end which is unthreaded. The unthreaded end can besupported in a sleeve nut which can engage with a side plate. In thismanner the studs are not rigid or unmovable but instead are able toadopt some movement (typically a rocking or pivoting movement) tofacilitate assembly.

The assembly may be provided with a means to prevent over tightening ofthe assembly. The means may comprise a “clutch” type mechanism. Thismechanism may be on or part of the shaft member. The shaft member maycomprise a first part containing a socket or other type of arrangementto allow a driver (such as a screwdriver, a phillips head screwdriver oran alien key, etc) to manipulate the elongate shaft member, and a secondpart which can be rotated by the first part until a predetermined forceif applied after which further rotation of the first part does notrotate the second part. The second part can be attached to a third partwhich can engage with the intermediate member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to thefollowing figures in which:

FIG. 1. Illustrates an exploded view of the assembly according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2-6. Illustrates various views of the assembly attached about amortice lock.

FIG. 7. Illustrates a second embodiment of the invention andparticularly illustrates the studs fitted into sleeve nuts.

FIGS. 8-10. Illustrate the sleeve nuts in greater detail.

FIG. 11. Illustrates an embodiment of the invention containing a clutchmechanism to prevent over tightening of the assembly.

FIG. 12. Illustrates another version of the studs.

FIG. 13. Illustrates a variation to the operation of the studs.

FIG. 14. Illustrates another type of clutch mechanism to prevent overtightening of the assembly.

BEST MODE

Referring to the embodiment and initially to FIG. 1, there isillustrated the various components of the assembly in an exploded view.Briefly, the components comprise a pair of side plates 11, 12 two pairsof elongate members in the form of threaded studs and which comprise anupper pair of elongate members 13, 14, and a lower pair of elongatemembers 15, 16, a pair of adjustment members in the form of floatingnuts and comprising an upper adjustment member 17 and a lower adjustmentmember 18, and a pair of means to adjust the adjustment member and whichcomprise as one component an upper means 19 and a lower means 20.

Referring to the assembly in greater detail, the assembly extends abouta conventional lock 21 (see FIGS. 2-6). Each side plate 11, 12 isrectangular in configuration and contains an outer wall 22 and aperipheral sidewall 23 such that the side plates extend proud of thedoor. The side plates may be provided with openings through which thelock handle can pass if desired.

On the inside of each plate is an upper attachment means 24, and a lowerattachment means 25. These are formed integrally with the side plate andcomprise a thickened portion formed with an elongate bore 26, 27 whichdoes not pass entirely through the side plates and therefore each boreis a “blind bore”. Each bore is provided with an internal thread.

Each elongate member 13-16 comprises a threaded stud. Each threaded studhas a length of between 5-30 mm and is made of metal. One end of eachstud (e.g. 14, 16) threadingly engages into a respective bore (e.g. 26,27). A stop member in the form of a small nut 28, 29 is attached to eachstud and functions to prevent the threaded stud from being inserted toofar into a respective bore 26, 27 or to prevent the threaded stud fromdamaging the side plate. Of course, the studs can be attached to theside plates by other means.

Each adjustment member 17, 18 comprises a floating nut in the form of anelongate tubular hollow member having an internal threaded bore and anexternal wall which is polygonal (typically hexagonal) in shape. Thefloating nut has a length of between 10-40 mm. Each pair of threadedstuds (ie 13, 14) threadingly engages into the floating nut. Thethreaded bore in the floating nut has a right-handed internal thread atone end and a left-handed internal thread at the other end. Therefore,rotation of the floating nut in one direction will cause the threadedstuds to both move into the floating nut while rotation of the floatingnut in the other direction will cause the threaded studs to both moveout of the floating nut. This, in turn, will loosen or tighten the sideplates relative to the door. Of course, it is also possible for thethreaded studs to have a left-handed thread and a right-handed thread.

Floating nut 17 is adjusted (by being rotated) by means 19. Means 19comprises an elongate shaft in the form of a drive screw 30. Drive screw30 has a socket 31 adjacent one end, and this end can be manipulatedfrom outside the door by a driver (typically an alien key). Drive screw30 engages an intermediate member which is in the form of a face gear50. Face gear 50 has a hollow body which has a hexagonal configurationwhich allows floating nut 17 to slide in the body but rotation of facegear 50 will cause floating nut 17 to rotate. Face gear 50 is rotated byteeth 32 on the other end of drive screw 30.

The assembly of the embodiment includes a front plate 35. Front plate 35comprises a flat plate member formed with openings through which variouslock components can pass (for instance, these components can include thelock tongue etc). Importantly, each plate 35 includes an upper largeropening 36 and a lower larger opening 37. These openings allow socket 31of the drive screw 30 to be manipulated by an appropriate tool.

A cover plate 38 sits over front plate 37. The cover plate has anopening for the lock tongue, but importantly, the cover plate covers theopenings 36, 37 in each plate 35. This improves the security of theassembly. Cover plate 38 includes two small fastening openings 40, 41through which fasteners can pass to fasten the cover plate to the dooror lock.

Drive screw 30, face gear 50 and adjustment member 17 are supported inthe assembly by a housing assembly 42. Housing assembly 42 comprises agear housing 43, and a housing cover plate 44.

In use, an existing lock 21 is fitted to the door. If necessary, theexisting lock front plate is replaced with front plate 35. The assemblyis fitted around the existing lock 21 as illustrated in FIGS. 2-6. Adriver fits inside socket 31 and is rotated to cause the adjustmentmember (floating nut) 17 to rotate which tightens each side plate 11, 12against the door. When the side plates have been tightened, a smallplastic plug 45 is pushed inside each socket 31 to provide additionalsecurity and prevents the drive screw from vibrating loose. The coverplate 38 is then screwed over front plate 35 which means that the drivescrews 19, 20 are no longer available for manipulation. Nut 17 can slideback axially through face gear 50 which provides a self centering actionas the mechanism is operated depending on which elongate member (e.g. in13,14) is engaged first.

Referring to FIG. 7-10, these figures illustrate a variation of theinvention which is directed to the studs. Specifically, this variationprovides some adjustability to the studs. Referring to the figures,studs 56 have one end 57 which is threaded and an opposed end 58 whichis smooth. A small collar 59 is provided intermediate the ends of thestuds. A sleeve nut 60 is provided. The stud 56 passes through sleevenut 60 by passing the threaded end 57 through the sleeve nut. Collar 59prevents the stud 56 from passing entirely through the sleeve nut.Sleeve nut 60 has an external thread and is threaded into a threadedbore 61 in each side plate 12, 11. The arrangement results in the studs56 no longer being rigid and being able to move and align better withthe sleeve nut on assembly to the door. This is particularly so when onefixing point is screwed in considerably more than the other and thefurniture plate starts to angle at the end that has not been screwed inas much.

FIG. 11 illustrates a variation to the invention where the variation isdirected to a clutch mechanism to prevent over tightening of thecomponents. In this embodiment, the clutch mechanism is formed on theshaft member (drive screw) and basically the drive screw 30 in FIG. 1has been replaced with the modified drive screw illustrated in FIG. 11.Specifically, the drive screw comprises a first part 65, a second part66, and a third part 67. First part 65 has a socket 31 which isidentical to that described in FIG. 1. A plug 45 can be pressed intosocket 31 for the reasons given above. The other end of first part 65 isprovided with a plurality of fingers 68. Fingers 68 are slightly spacedapart to form slots 69 between adjacent fingers. Second part 66 isprovided with an array of shorts tabs 70 which pass into the slots 69.Thus, rotation of first part 65 will also cause rotation of second part66 because of the engagement of tabs 70 between adjacent fingers 68. Theother end of second part 66 is provided with a socket (not illustrated)which fits over stub 71 of third part 67. Thus, third part 67 isdrivingly engaged to second part 66. The other end of third part 67contains teeth 32 in a manner similar to the teeth 32 illustrated on theshaft member in FIG. 1. In use, the three-part assembly (65-67) can berotated by inserting and turning a tool in socket 31. The teeth 32 willengage with face gear 50 in the manner described above. When the entireapparatus is clamped together, further rotation by the tool will causefirst part 65 to ride over tabs 70 in the second part 66 such thatsecond part 66 no longer rotates. Specifically, fingers 68 will deformand disengage with tabs 70. This deformation is facilitated by makingfirst part 65 and second part 66 from plastics/spring steel or any othersuitable material. The tabs 70 on second part 66 are not symmetrical butinstead have one curved edge and an opposed edge which is straight.Thus, rotation of first part 65 in one direction will initially causesecond part 66 to rotate but further rotation will cause fingers 68 toride over tabs 70 as the fingers ride over the curved edge of each tab.However, rotation in the opposite direction results in the fingerscontacting the straight edge and in this direction of rotation, there isno release of the fingers from the tab and thus there is no clutching.Thus, this arrangement can be seen as a one-way clutch arrangement.

FIG. 12 illustrates a variation of the studs which is a variation tothat described in FIG. 7-10. Specifically, stud 56 is unchanged and iscaptured within sleeve nut 60 in the manner described with reference toFIG. 7-10. However, the other stud 75 is completely or predominantlyunthreaded. One end 76 is captured within sleeve nut 60 in the mannerdescribed above. However, the other end 77 is captured within elongatenut 17. Thus, stud 75 does not extend or retract relative to elongatenut 17 while stud 56 does. This variation therefore results in sideplates 11, 12 being drawn together only by stud 56 being pulled in orpushed out of elongate nut 17. The other stud 75 can be seen as an“idle” stud.

FIG. 13 illustrates a variation in the operative attachment of theelongate shaft 19 relative to nut 17. Specifically, FIG. 13 illustratesa variation of the three-part arrangement 65, 66, 67 which is bestillustrated in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, the third part 67 is replaced withpart 78 illustrated in FIG. 13. Face gear 50 is replaced with gear 79 asillustrated in FIG. 13. The variation illustrated in FIG. 13 can be seenas a worm drive and illustrates that the precise operative connectionbetween the elongate shaft and nut 17 can vary.

FIG. 14 illustrates a variation to the clutch assembly which isillustrated generally in FIG. 11. The arrangement of FIG. 14 againcomprises three main components 80, 81, 82. Component 80 has a socket 83at one end to allow a small plastic plug to be pushed into the socket,and contains a number of short stubby projections 84 at the other end.Component 81 also contains a number of short stubby projections 85.Component 82 fits into the rear of component 81 in the manner similar tothat described above. The other end of component 82 is formed with teeth86 which mesh with the face gear 50. Component 81 is biased intoengagement with projections 84 via a spring washer 87. Washer 87 sits ona collar 88 on third component 82 and presses component 81 intoengagement with projections 84 on component 80. Specifically,projections 85 and projections 84 engage such that rotation of component80 causes rotation of component 81. Projections 85 have one angled face89 such that over rotation of component 80 causes projections 84 to rideover projections 85 and at the same time causes component 81 to bepushed back against the bias of spring 87. Thus, a clutching mechanismis provided. Rotation in the other direction does not provide the sametype of clutching mechanism although if component 80 is rotated in theother direction with enough force, projections 84 will ride overprojections 85 to cause a clutching action. However, the intention isthat the clutching action is more pronounced when rotating component 80in the direction which causes the furniture components to be clampedtogether and thereby preventing over tightening and damage to themechanism.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modificationscan be made to the embodiment described without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A furniture plate assembly which comprises at least one side plateattachable to the side of a door, the door having a pair of opposedsides and a front edge, an elongate member extending from an insidesurface of the at least one side plate and which is attached to orattachable to the side plate, a threaded portion on the elongate member,an adjustment member which engages with the threaded portion on theelongate member, and means to adjust the adjustment member from aposition external of the door, whereby adjustment of the adjustmentmember causes the elongate member to move which in turn can tighten theside plate against the door.
 2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1,comprising a pair of said side plates each side plate adapted to extendover a said side of the door.
 3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2,comprising a front plate adapted to extend over the front edge of thedoor.
 4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, comprising a cover plateadapted to extend over the front plate.
 5. The assembly as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the side plate has an upper edge and a lower edge, aplurality of said elongate members being provided, one said elongatemember extending from an upper edge of the side plate and the other saidelongate member extending from a lower end of the side plate.
 6. Theassembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment member comprisesan elongate nut.
 7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the meansto adjust the adjustment member is an elongate shaft member one end ofwhich is accessible from the edge of the door and the other end of whichis operatively associated with the adjustment member.
 8. The assembly asclaimed in claim 8, containing a face gear which is operated by theelongate shaft member and which operates the elongate nut.
 9. Theassembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the face gear contains a throughpassageway and extends over the elongate nut.
 10. The assembly asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the elongate shaft member comprises twoseparate parts being a first part and a second part, the first parthaving one end which is accessible from the edge of the door, and asecond end which contains one part of a clutch mechanism, the secondpart having one end which contains the other part of a clutch mechanismand which is clutchingly engageable with the first part.
 11. Theassembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the clutch mechanism on thefirst part comprises resilient fingers containing a spacing therebetween and the clutch mechanism on the second part comprises tabmembers which extend into the spacing.
 12. The assembly as claimed inclaim 12, wherein rotation of the first part in one direction causes theclutch mechanism to operate while rotation of the first part in theopposite direction does not result in operation of the clutch mechanism.13. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, comprising a third part, thethird part being drivingly engaged to the second part, the third partcontaining a plurality of teeth which engage with the face gear.
 14. Theassembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elongate shaft member isprovided with a socket adjacent the end which is accessible from theedge of the door to allow a tool to be inserted into the socket.
 15. Theassembly as claimed in claim 15 comprising a plug which plugs into thesocket to prevent the tool from being inserted into the socket.
 16. Theassembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises anelongate cylindrical stud having a pair of opposed ends, the stud beingthreaded along a portion of each end, the stud containing a collarintermediate the ends of the stud.
 17. The assembly as claimed in claim1, wherein the elongate member comprises an elongate cylindrical studhaving a pair of opposed ends, the stud being threaded along a portionof one end, and being unthreaded at the other end, the assemblyadditionally containing a sleeve nut which extends over and whichcaptures the unthreaded end of the stud, the sleeve nut being attachableto the side plate.